HB 535 -- OFFICIAL FLYING MAMMAL SPONSOR: Threlkeld COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources by a vote of 18 to 0. This bill designates the gray bat as the official flying mammal of the State of Missouri. FISCAL NOTE: No impact on state funds. PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the gray bat is an endangered year-round resident species of Missouri and deserves recognition. It is importantly ecologically and helps control populations of mosquitoes and other pest insects. Testifying for the bill were Maggie Light, Julie Vossbrink, Steve Murrie, James Rudloff, Kelly Williams, and Rachel Feltmann of St. Francis Borgia Grade School. OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee. Terry Finger, Senior Legislative AnalystCopyright (c) Missouri House of Representatives